Riddle me this, if we went back in time and told former heads of ///M division and its senior engineers that future ///Ms would share engines almost exactly the same as the productions series (current 1M) and many parts from other ///Ms (current 1M & ///M3 as well as future) what do you think their reaction would be?

Make the M2 special in its own way, just as the ///M5 and ///M3 are both special in their own ways.

I am hoping they still keep the 1-series in the USA with the way it is equipped and maybe just add a back-up camera since I do not want a bigger or more roomy car being that I am petite and I do not need more power than the 128i coupe which is perfect for me.

are you including in that prediction the Z2 roadster and/or coupe that are also expected to be fwd?

No, I really just meant the 1 series itself with that comment. A small roadster has a better chance of making it to the US than a small hatchback. However, I would not necessarily say that it will come here for sure either.

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A gen-u-ine BMW eff-eight-zero with them tandem clutches in the transmission and that dad gum sun roof on the top-a da cawr.

If you are meaning commonality then you are on the right track as the F20 and F30 share the same modular matrix , so this will feature within the 2er and 4er Coupes too.

As of the next generation M1 or M2? It will stick to it's basic formula but will have scope for further enhancement. But , especially for weight purposes the car will resort to a four cylinder Turbo. The power output will stick closely to around todays car 340HP allowing the M3 to have a considerable gap with around over 100HP with it's all new six cylinder engine.

If that's true then it seems the new 2 series coupe won't have any added power than the current models.
The current 135i has 300/300. I would expect that a NEW replacement for this car would have at least a bit more power, say 320/320.
If that happens, then an M2 with only 340/340 isn't so special.

The new 2.0T engine has more power and better MPG than the current NA 3.0 engine. That's a solid replacement.
What's the replacement or refinement for the N55?
It should be a bit more power and a bit better MPG.
Then, what goes into an M2?
I say, a higher boosted N55 with the M handling and styling bits.

I just can't see an M2 with a 2.0T for that kind of money.
Not saying it won't happen, just saying, I don't like the idea.

Or, maybe BMW will do what Audi did with the A4.
They cut out the V6 altogether.
You have 2 choices. A4 2.0T or the S4. They loaded up the S4 with options and the price is right for those who want more performance.

Maybe the next 2 coupe will only be offered with a 2.0T, and if you want higher performance you'll have to go with the M2 with an N55.
Could be good, but the price needs to be in check

If that's true then it seems the new 2 series coupe won't have any added power than the current models.
The current 135i has 300/300. I would expect that a NEW replacement for this car would have at least a bit more power, say 320/320.
If that happens, then an M2 with only 340/340 isn't so special.

It will be special if they can make it 300+kg lighter

It's power to weight ratio that's important, not just the headline power output.

It's power to weight ratio that's important, not just the headline power output.

Yes, I'm very aware that power to weight is more important than raw numbers.

But until we see officially that the new 2 coupe will be lighter, we can't call it yet.
Also, 140lbs less is ok but it ain't that great.
The current 1 is too heavy as is given it's smaller size.
Current 1 series is about that much lighter than the 3 series. They use the same engine and the 1 is not that much faster, and the 3 with sport handles better and has a better ride, even though it's heavier.

A 150lb weight decrease with about a 25/25 power bump will make for a much more compelling 'next gen' 1/2 series.

Yeah, I think he converted that backwards. 300kg = 660LB or so. I seriously doubt they could drop that much weight, without dramatically boosting the cost (more Al and CF to get that kind of weight loss).

Yeah, I think he converted that backwards. 300kg = 660LB or so. I seriously doubt they could drop that much weight, without dramatically boosting the cost (more Al and CF to get that kind of weight loss).

I was basing it on a similar weight reduction of the E87 vs F20.

I figured roughly a 140lb weight reduction for the new 2 series replacing the current 1 series coupe.

A 660lb reduction is never going to happen. That's an extreme weight loss, more in line with a high priced lighter weight materials.